Мадхья 17.25-49 - Страница 15

Once a devotee

asked Prabhupada, "How many pure devotees are on the planet?" and

Prabhupada replied, "How many devotees are in ISKCON, that`s how

many pure devotees there are." There`s also an interesting

purport in the "Sri Caitanya -caritamrita", where Prabhupada

explains, that if one follows the principles of Krsna

consciousness, he can become a pure devotee and gradually he can

progress from the Kanistha platform to the Madyam platform and

ultimately to the uttama adhikari platform. So this is the

important point, that one is following the process according to

the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master. If he is strictly

following, then he is becoming purified at every moment. Thus he

can also act as a bonafide via media for spreading the holy name

of Krsna. It is not a difficult process. It is simply a matter of

surrender. If one surrenders, then he can become empowered. And

by his influence others will become vaisnava`s. And everyone is

needed in this movement. Once Prabhupada said that Caitanya

Mahaprabhu was the Supreme Lord, so he could make even the

animals dance in the Jarikhanda forest. "But, he said, " I need

all the help I can get." So therefore he said, "Whatever happens,

do not leave ISKCON. Even if you make some mistake, you have some

difficulty, you should go on in devotional service".Just as Lord

Krsna says:

api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak

(BG. 9.30)

"Even if one commits an abominable activity, if he is engaged in

devotional service, he should be considered saintly because he is

properly situated in his determination".

So even if there is some mistake, the only cure is to chant the

holy name and perform devotional service. The holy name of Krsna

is all powerful and is non-different from Krsna. Krsna is

Pavitram idam uttamam, he is the Supreme purifier.So we don`t ne-

ed to follow any other process of purification. Maharaja

Pariksit asked Sukadeva Goswami, how can one counteract sinful ?

activities? At first, to test him, Sukadeva Goswami said: "You

follow the rituals for atonement in the Vedic literature`s."

Pariks it Maharaja was very intelligent, he said, "That is just

like an elephant who takes bath, but he`ll get out and roll in

the dirt again and will have to take bath again." Sukadeva

Goswami was very pleased with his perceptiveness. He said: "Yes,

that is a fact, actually to become freed from sinful activities

and sinful desire, one has to flood the heart with the glories of

the holy name." Prabhupada said, "Just like in flood season, the

rainy season in India, you cannot plant seeds, they will not take

root. So in the same way, if the heart is flooded with hearing

and chanting the glories of the Lord, the seeds of sinful desire,

or popa-bija will not be able to take root in the heart."

So just like we keep the physical body clean by taking bath, in

the same way, one has to keep one`s mind, heart and consciousness

clean by always attentively chanting Krsna`s holy name.

Thank you very much.

Any questions?

Q: Can one proud to be a devotee?

A:One can be proud to be a devotee, but that shouldn`t be the

kind of pride where he starts thinking that he is better than

everyone else. He should always remain as a humble servant of

Krsna. And as Lord Caitanya recommended, he should offer all res-

pects to others. Prabhupada said that the Vaisnava`s are

respectful, even to the ant. But still internally, he should feel

glad, proud, happy and even proud to be a servant of Krsna.

Q:Guru Maharaja, can the parents be committing vaisnava apparadha

by punishing the child?

A: Obviously, the parents may have to correct the child or

chastise the child from time to time. If one is doing it out of

love for the child`s benefit, then there`ll be no offense. But

still it`s possible to offend a child.Just